That doesn't do anything for Atem's sense of being off-balance. He was expecting to shoulder all of the work, because that seemed like what was fair -- because what he was asking, he was asking for his own benefit, selfishly. The least he could have done was make it as easy on Ryou as he could.
But, instead, the burden of work is being taken from him -- Ryou is even the one asking Komaeda over--!
Is this hope that's making his chest ache, making his skin prickle, like there's a fire set just below it and it's spreading? It also feels a little like he's set something in motion that he can't take back, and doesn't know yet if he wants to: it's the normal anxiety around the prospect of big change, even if you hope it's for the better.
Atem gives a nod, not getting up.]
It's in the living room.
[Ryou knows his way around by now -- the laptop will be sitting open on a side-table in one of the few rooms with comfortable seating. Throne room doesn't count.
He'll sit here while Ryou gets it. He's not completely certain he trusts his legs. And, a little belatedly, only after Ryou gets moving, does Atem sit back up and turn to look at him and say--]
Thank you.
[Not just for going to get the laptop. For everything. For entertaining this, for doing the best he can, for trusting Atem -- the "thank you" is for all of it.]
no subject
....taking charge?
That doesn't do anything for Atem's sense of being off-balance. He was expecting to shoulder all of the work, because that seemed like what was fair -- because what he was asking, he was asking for his own benefit, selfishly. The least he could have done was make it as easy on Ryou as he could.
But, instead, the burden of work is being taken from him -- Ryou is even the one asking Komaeda over--!
Is this hope that's making his chest ache, making his skin prickle, like there's a fire set just below it and it's spreading? It also feels a little like he's set something in motion that he can't take back, and doesn't know yet if he wants to: it's the normal anxiety around the prospect of big change, even if you hope it's for the better.
Atem gives a nod, not getting up.]
It's in the living room.
[Ryou knows his way around by now -- the laptop will be sitting open on a side-table in one of the few rooms with comfortable seating. Throne room doesn't count.
He'll sit here while Ryou gets it. He's not completely certain he trusts his legs. And, a little belatedly, only after Ryou gets moving, does Atem sit back up and turn to look at him and say--]
Thank you.
[Not just for going to get the laptop. For everything. For entertaining this, for doing the best he can, for trusting Atem -- the "thank you" is for all of it.]